The Supreme Court verdict setting aside the Delhi High Court order decriminalising homosexual intercourse, shows how the majority tends to dictate terms to the minorities, whether in matters relating to religion, caste or sexual orientation. There is only one way out for the LGBT community. It should come together and emerge as a potential vote bank. It will then get the rights; nowadays, unfortunately, this is how politics works.
Gaurav Chaudhary,Meerut
The apex court’s judgment cannot be welcomed in a society which upholds social values and aspires to be modern. An amendment to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, in tune with the times, is the need of the hour, to ensure rights to the community.
Albin George Thatha,Kothamangalam
The cartoon (December 13), was heartening. If the world has ostensibly agreed that discrimination based on skin colour, which is not a matter of choice, is archaic, what stops it from taking cognisance of the fact that sexual orientation isn’t a choice either? Personal liberty is being made the scapegoat here, with a farcical argument of societal morality and decency.
Sidharth K. Varma,Pandalam
It is disheartening to see one group of human beings being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. If nature has not discriminated against them, why should the law criminalise consensual acts between adults of the same sex? The LGBT community should be given its space in an ever-evolving society.
Sumeet Mahendra,New Delhi
Many argue that homosexuality goes against nature’s will. Is it so? Let us just acknowledge that homosexuals are born with the natural tendency to prefer people of their own sex. If the rule is that opposite poles attract, every rule has an exception.
Anjala A. Rehman,Bangalore
The verdict spells trouble for the LGBT community, which is among the most vulnerable to sexually-transmitted diseases. Homosexuals will henceforth find it very embarrassing to seek medical assistance openly. The law is only pushing them to engage in unsafe sex.
P. Laasya,Chittoor
Criminalising homosexuality and calling it unnatural is not going to deter the gay community from its activities. The Supreme Court ruling is only going to marginalise the community further. It has upheld an archaic law. What is the rationale behind passing the onus to the legislature? Given the amount of legislative work that is pending before Parliament, the LGBT community can hardly rely on it for any respite.
Ketan Anand,Kanpur
Section 377 was incorporated 150 years ago. I did not hear any debate on the subject till the Delhi High Court’s judgment decriminalising gay sex. There is no need for panic or disappointment over the Supreme Court’s verdict; it has only restored what existed for 150 years. As rightly suggested by the Supreme Court, it is for the legislators to delete or modify the Section as they deem fit.
K.P. Sanal Kumar,Chennai
Western winds are fast sweeping across India, a land of saints and sages. We have already given the go-by to the long-cherished ethos of this great nation, by accommodating something that is unnatural and perverse, in the name of personal preference. The reported attempt by the UPA government to issue an ordinance to decriminalise homosexuality will be a shame.
D. Vetha Roy,Lakshmipuram
Needless brouhaha has been raised over the Supreme Court’s verdict on Section 377, giving the impression that India would lapse into ante-diluvian times if it is not amended soon. One cannot brush aside the views of groups that are against homosexuality. The government should call for a thorough debate on the issue, instead of merely succumbing to media pressure. It has more pressing problems like price rise and inflation to tackle instead of an issue affecting a group of individuals.
A. Gajanana,Bangalore
The controversy over the legality or otherwise of homosexuality is sending unwelcome messages to society at large. The impression being given is that it is okay to be gay. The other side of the argument is not being given a fair hearing. Homosexuality is but an acquired behaviour that is caused by peer pressure, low self-esteem, and so on. It is against family values.
George Irimpan,Kozhikode
